Media speculation about Whitney Houston's spiritual condition

FOLLOWING the shock death of R&B and pop icon Whitney Houston on 11th February, there is ongoing media speculation about the cause of the 48 year old singer's death and her return to the Christian faith. An article by Kia Miakka Natisse has speculated, "It would appear that Whitney was planning a return to gospel music. Her last recorded song was 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' for the soundtrack of the soon-to-be released movie Sparkle. Her last public performance was of the song "Yes, Jesus Loves Me". Despite her personal struggles, Whitney clutched to her faith in her final days, often speaking of the Bible and Jesus. It's possible that a career shift to more gospel-oriented music may have finally given Houston the life she wanted, and saved her from the personal demons that she battled so publicly. Though she did not live to experience it, gospel music will surely play a large part in her funeral, with performances from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, and the eulogy delivered by Marvin Winans. It will be a funeral fit for a star who was a gospel singer at heart."